Coin-, token-, or check-freed apparatus for playing a game of skill



B. w. BRENNER COIN, TOKEN, OR CHECK FREED APPARATUS FOR PLAYING A GAME OF SKILL Filed April 16, 1935 7 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR nTrolamgiys y 4, 1937- B. BRENNER 2,079,000

COIN, TOKEN OR CHECK FREED APPARATUS FOR PLAYING A GAME OF SKILL I Filed April 16, 193 5 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR By M ATTORNEYS 2,079,000 COIN, TOKEN, OR CHECK FREED APPARATUS FOR PLAYING A GAME OF SKILL May 4, 1937. .B. \NQBRENNER Filed April 16, 1935 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

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May 4, 1937.

B. w. BRENNER COIN, TOKEN, OR CHECK FREED APPARATUS FOR PLAYING A GAME OF SKILL Filed April 16, 1935 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 V nNvsN-rb ATTORNEYS y 4, 1937- B. w. BRENNER 2,079,000

COIN, vTOKEN, OR CHECK FREED APPARATUS FOR PLAYING A GAME OF SKILL Filed April 16, 1935 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR A ORNEYS May 4, 1937. B. w BRENNER COIN, TOKEN, OR CHECK FREED APPARATUS FOR PLAYING A GAME SKILL 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed April 16, 1935 ATTOR NEVS y 1937. B. w. BRENNER 2,079,000

COIN, TOKEN, OR CHECK FREED APPARATUS FOR PLAYING A GAME OF SKILL Filed April 16, 1935 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Be/1411mm; W 455mm,

'NVENTOR ATTORN EYS Patented May 4, 1937 UNITED STATES PAET FFHQE COINu TOKEN-, OR.

CHECK-FREED' APPA- RATUS FOR PLAYING A GAME OF SKILL England Application April 16, 1935, Serial No. 16,563 In Great Britain April 21, 1934 13 Claims.

provided for stopping the said wheels in certain predetermined positions in which a prize-delivery mechanism is permitted to deliver a prize determined by the positions in which the said wheels stop. l-leretofore the aforesaid wheels have all been spun at the same time and the operation of the prize-delivery mechanism has been controlled by the relative angular positions of all the wheels when they come to rest.

The present invention has for its object improvements in the coin-, tokenor check-freeing mechanism of apparatus of the kind referred to and in the general construction thereof according to which each wheel is spun independently by energy stored by the operation of a lever after it has been freed by the insertion of a coin-, tokenor check in a slot, as a result of which one of the said number-wheels is first spun and if it is stopped in a winning position, the second wheel is spun and so on until one of the said wheels stops in a non-winning position. Prizes may be delivered when any of the wheels stop in winning position and when the last wheel of the series stops in awinning position a pool, into which some of the coins, tokens or checks, inserted into the apparatus to free it, fall, may also be delivered to the successful player.

A further feature of the present invention consists of means for separating the coins, tokens or checks inserted into the apparatus to free it, from tokens or checks with which the prize magazine and pool are charged before it is used, in order that the former may be delivered into a cash-box and retained for the use of the apparatus and the latter may be delivered to succes'sful players to enable them to use the apparatus longer for their amusement, without further payment until the tokens or checks, hereinafter referred to as tokens, they have won are used up.

The figures in the accompanying drawings illustrate one form of coin-, token-, or check-freed apparatus made in accordance with this invention, wherein:-

Fig. 1 is a front elevation.

Fig. 2 is a part rear elevation.

Fig. 3 is a right-side elevation.

Fig. i is a left-side elevation.

Fig. 5 is a plan.

Fig. 6 is a plan showing the stepped cam plate 2M.

Fig. 6a is a similar view to Fig. 6 showing an alternative position.

Fig. '7 is a sectional view of the pool.

Fig. 8a is a plan of the delivery mechanism.

Fig. 8b is an underside plan of one of the slides.

Fig. 8c is a section on the line VV Fig. 8a.

Fig. 8:1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the delivery mechanism.

Fig. 9 is a detail of the hopper and coin chute.

Figs. 10 and 10a are plan views showing different positions of the fingers I03.

Fig. 11 shows the raised position of the depend ing arm l2i.

Fig. 12a is a front elevation of the casing enclosing the apparatus.

Fig. 12b is a side elevation of the coin slot.

Fig. 13 is a detail of the starting handle.

Fig. 14 illustrates a modification of the delivering device,

According to one mode of carrying out the present invention (Fig. l) a plurality of number-wheels 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 26, are freely mounted one above the other on a stationary vertical shaft 3 fixed at its lower end to a platform 4 and a cross bar 5 supported by side bars 6, 6, a suitable distance above the base of the apparatus. The upper end of this shaft is fixed to a. horizontal member 1 supported by pillars 8, 8, rising from each side-bar 6.

Each of the number-wheels 2a has a disc 90., 9b, 9c, M, Sc, fixed to its upper-side and is supported by a shoulder or ball-race Ella, lllb, llJc, Hid, we, fixed to the wheel shaft shaft 3, so that each may rotate independently. The disc 9a fixed to each of the said number-wheels is provided with V-shaped teeth Ila, Hb, Ha, I Id, tie, and a deep substantially radial slot 12a, [2b, l2c, i201, [2e at suitable intervals between its teeth, (Fig. 5).

Above each number-wheel 2a a framearm 13a, I31), I30, ltd, l3e curved or bent in a horizontal plane so as to extend around the shaft 3 on which the said wheels are mounted, is freely mounted by means of a boss Ma. on another shaft l5 journalled in the aforesaid cross-bar 5 and upper horizontal member 7, between one of its supporting pillars 8 and the edge of the numher-wheels 2a Each of the aforesaid framearms 13a is provided at its free end with a spring pawl lGa, I62), I60, 16d, lfie, (Fig. 5) adapted to engage the tdothed disc to. of the number-wheel beneath it, and is acted upon by a separate spring l'la adapted to move said arm I3a towards the rear of the apparatus, so as to spin that number-wheel 2a in a clockwise direct-ion, until it is stopped by a pin I8a, [8b, I8c, l8d, lBe carried by the said frame arm l3a entering one of the V-shaped spaces Isa between the teeth Ha of its disc 9a or one of the radial slots i251. in it. Normally, each of these arms lSa is prevented from moving under the influence of its springs Ha. by a detent flap 26a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20c hinged to it. This flap 26a has two detents Zla, Zlb, Zlc, 2|d, Zle, and 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22c, one of which namely 2m is formed by its forward edge that engages the periphery 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d, 23a of a control-disc or cam 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d, 24c mounted on a vertical, spring-actuated, controlshaft 25 journalled in the aforesaid cross-bar 5 of the apparatus and in the aforesaid upper horizontal member I, on the opposite side of the number-wheels 2a to the shaft E5 on which the frame arms I304 are mounted and adapted to be wound in a counter clockwise direction. Each of these discs 24:! is provided with a gap 26a at a suitable part of its periphery, say in staggered relationship to each other, which allows the forward edge Zla of the detentflap 2% hinged to the co-operating frame arm l3a to pass when it reaches it turning in a clockwise direction. After the frame arm lSa is released in this way, it is turned by its spring Ila. until it is stopped by the second detent 22a on its hinged flap 20a which is situated at a greater distance from the shaft E5 on which the frame arms l3a. are mounted. This detent 22a also engages the periphery 23a of its controldisc 24a and delays the further movement of its frame arm 53a under the influence of its spring Ila until the gap 26a in its controldisc 24a again releases it. When the frame arm E30. was first released the numberwheel 2a, it controls was first spun by reason of the engagement of its spring-pawl l6a with the toothed disc 9a fixed to that number-wheel, which was allowed to continue its rotation during the time the movement of the frame arm 53a was arrested by the second detent 22a on its hinged flap 20a During this interval the numberwheel 2a may be stopped in a winning position, indicated by a number or other device on its periphery, by the skill-control mechanism. To enable the number-wheels 2a to be stopped in winning positions, the detent flap 20a hinged to each of the frame arms i3a is provided with a finger 21a, 21b, 27c, 2'ld, 2'le (Fig. 4) that occupies a position in the path of a skill-control arm 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d, 28c when the curved arm to which it is hinged is stopped by its first detent Zia Thus a skill-control arm is provided for each detent flap and is mounted on a short spring-controlled shaft 29a, 29b, 29c, 29d, 296 that extends to the front of the apparatus where it is provided with a second arm 30a, 39b, 30c, 36d, 38c adapted to be engaged by a lever 3m (Fig. 12a) hinged to the case that encloses the mechanism. When the lever Sla is operated to raise arm 39a this through shaft 29a raises arms 28a. which raises the corresponding finger 27a and so releases detent flap 20a. and allows wheel 2a to stop.

After the control-disc 24a has turned sufficiently in a clock-wise direction to allow the said second detent 22a, to enter its gap 26a the frame-arm l3a again moves unless it has been previously released by the skillcontrol mechanism, under the influence of its spring i'm until the pin IBa, carried by it engages the toothed disc 9a If this pin 98a. enters one of the V-shaped spaces I90, between its teeth, Ila the frame arm 13a is stopped in a position that will leave detent 22a in the gap 26a of its control-disc 24a with the result that it will stop the control-shaft 25 when the edge on the opposite side of the gap 26a in the control-disc 24a reaches it. If the aforesaid pin l8a enters one of the radial slots l2a in the toothed disc 9a the frame arm I3a will move further until its detent flap 20a is clear of its control-disc 25a and thus allow the controlshaft 25 to continue to turn until the next control-disc 24b mounted on it releases the frame arm E31) that spins and afterwards stops the next number-wheel 2b in the same manner as the one just described. In this way one number-wheel is spun after the one above it has stopped if the pin on the frame arm that co-operates with the said number-wheel above it enters one of the radial slots in its toothed disc. If, however, this pin enters one of the -shaped spaces between its teeth, the controlshaft is prevented from turning and the apparatus stops.

The upper end of the control-shaft 25 is connected to one end 32 of the wound spring 33 whose other end 35 is secured to a spring case 35 fixed above the horizontal member 1 in which the upper end of the said control-shaft 25 is journalled. The control-shaft 25 has a toothed wheel 36 and a stepped cam plate 31 for pool control, hereinafter described, fixed to its lower end above the platform 4 and a chain wheel 38 at the top of the shaft 25.

The toothed wheel 36 referred to is geared to a fan 4! through a one-way clutch 42 that retards the rotation of the control-shaft 25 when driven by its spring 33 but allows it to turn freely in the reverse direction to wind it.

In order for the apparatus to function for the delivery of prizes it is necessary that a token be inserted in the hopper 82 and that such token shall fall as will be hereinafter described into such a position that fingers I03 will be separated when allowed to move forward, by the commencement of the movement of handle 43, the actual motive force for this being the pull of spring 69, so that they can move forward to their full extent. By doing this they allow levers 62, 96 also to move forward, lever 96 being pulled forward by spring 69, and consequently allow cam 50 to release the adjacent roller on shaft 45 when the said shaft is rotated by lever 43.

The lever 43 for starting the apparatus after a coin or token has been inserted, turns a first horizontal shaft 44 extending between the side frames 45a, 45b and journalled in bearings 46 supported by them. This shaft 44 is provided at its right-hand end with three short arms 41a, 47b, 410 at having rollers 48a, 48b, 480 (Fig. 3) at their extremities one of which operates an upper cam-plate 49 pivoted above it near the rear edge of the right-hand side frame 45a, and another of which operates another cam-plate 50 pivoted beneath it to the same side frame 45a near its front edge. Ratchet wheel 44 on shaft as and pawl 44 pivoted on the frame prevent counterrotation of shaft 44. The upper camplate 69 is secured to a second horizontal shaft 5| 'journalled in the side frames 45a, 45b of the apparatus.

machine which shaft is secured to arms 5m. 5| b, 5lc (Fig. 2). Arms 51a, 51b, 5Ic, on rotation of the shaft make contact with and actuate three levers 52, 53, 54, loose on the shaft of which lever 52 is connected at its free end 55 to a chain 56 that drives the chain wheel 38 on the controlshaft 25 which it turns in the direction to wind its spring 33, when the upper cam-plate 49 is raised by 48a one of the aforesaid rollers, when the starting lever 43 is operated. The lever 54 (Fig. 2), after operation is returned to its normal position by spring 57', one end 58 of said spring being attached to the arm 5lc, which is itself secured to sleeve 540, which sleeve is fastened to the arm I540 of the lever and the other 59' to the frame. Spring 57, of which one end 58, (Fig. 2), is attached to the lever and the other 59 to the frame, causes lever 52 to take up the slack of the chain 56. When this roller 48a is raised the next roller 4% moves out of the path of a projection Gil on the lower cam-plate 50 which cam-plate 5!! is connected by links 6!, 52, (Fig. 3) to a coin-controlled lever 95 which is not free to move fully until a coin has been inserted in the In this position another roller 48c engages a portion 63 of the cam surface that is at right-angles to a line drawn from the said roller to the pivot of its cam-plate 50 which, therefore, remains stationary. The rollers 48a are brought to their initial position by the upper cam plate 49 under influence of spring 51. The limiting position of cams 49, 50 is shown in broken line.

If no coin is inserted when it is attempted to operate shaft M by lever 43 the adjacent arm 47c meets and is stopped by cam surface 63 and is thereby held against further rotation, because fingers Hl3 when they attempt to move forward are stopped by plate I l I.

On the contrary when a coin is inserted and as previously described separates fingers "23 when they attempt to move forward so that they can pass plate H'I, lever 96 can be pulled forward by spring 69 and therefore also lever 6| can move forward and cam surface 63 moves out of the way of the adjacent roller 48o by the time that arm reaches the original position of the cam surface 63.

Spring 69 pulls lever 96 over about half its full travel. The remainder of the travel of lever 96 is completed by the pressure of roller 48c in cam surface H. When lever 96 has completed the function of its forward travel it is withdrawn to its normal position of rest by the pressure of roller 48c on cam surface 63b on the completion of the motion of roller 48c Actually lever 43 turns arm Mo through about 90 and the pressure of cam 49 forces the arm 41c through another 30 making in all about 120 per arm.

In order to return the frame arms to the front of the apparatus and to store up energy'in their springs Ila to enable them to spin the number-wheels 2a the shaft IE: on which they are freely mounted has a collar 64a fixed to it between the boss Ma of each arm (Fig. 5). These fixed collars 64a have upwardly directed fingers 650. that extend into the path of the arm above each so as to move it when the said shaft 15 is turned in the appropriate direction. For this purpose a turning arm 66 (Fig.8a) is secured to the lower end of the said shaft 15. This turning arm 66 is connected by a link 61 (Fig. 2) to the free end 68 of the second lever 53 secured to the second horizontal shaft (Fig. 2). This second lever 53 is turned when the second horizontal shaft 5| is turned by the upper cam plate 49 with the result that all the frame-arms l3a are returned to their starting positions by the same operation. As the frame-arm shaft I5 under spring action moves its fingers 65a away from the frame-arms I30; before the control-shaft 25 begins to turn under the influence of its spring 33, the finger 65a that turned the first arm l'3a counter-clockwise will have moved away from it clockwise before the arm l3a is released by its control-disc 24a and the frame-arm 5a will,

therefore, be able to move sufficiently under the influence of its spring Ila to spin the first number-wheel, 2a.

After a coin has been inserted, the aforesaid coin controlled lever 96 is freed and the lower cam 50 or looking plate (Fig. 3) moves a sufficient distance under the influence of the spring 59 connecting it to the coin chute Ill hereinafter referred to, to bring cam surface H in a position to be engaged by the last mentioned roller, which was engaged with the locking surface 63 of said lower cam-plate 50, thereby enabling the roller to turn the said cam-plate 56 which is thus enabled to operate the coin release and distribution mechanism in the manner hereinafter described.

During theoperation of the starting lever 43 considerable work has to be done to wind the spring 33 of the control-shaft 25 and to return the frame arms I30. to the front of the apparatus and this varies according to the number of wheels -20. that have been spun and the number of frame arms l3a that have to be returned, and if the energy applied to the starting lever 43, is continued after the work to be done is finished, the apparatus is liable to receive a very considerable shock. In order to prevent this, a dash-pot 72 (Fig. 4) is operatively connected to the first horizontal shaft 44; this is the shaft turned by the starting lever. The dash-pot I2 is secured to the left hand side frame 451).

The dash-pot employed comprises a cylinder 13 in which a loosely fitting piston is reciprocated so as to transfer oil or glycerine. and water or other suitable fiuid from one side of the piston to the other. The piston rod 14 of the cylinder is pivoted to the upper horizontal member 15 of the left-hand side frame 45b, and the lower end 56 of the cylinder is pivoted adjacent an upper corner ll of a quadrilateral jointed frame 78 secured to the left-hand side 4512 of the frame, the quadrilateral frame carrier rollers 19 making contact with three arms 80 (at 120) fixed to the left-hand end of the shaft operated by the starting lever 43. With this arrangement, the piston of the cylinder is caused to transfer the fluid contents of the cylinder to the opposite side of the piston, twice for every third of a revolution of the said shaft.

The coin-chute 3! (Fig. 3) is provided with a pivoted hopper 82 at its upper end. This hopper has a downwardly-extending plate 83 which can pass freely through a slot 84 in the coin-chute when the hopper swings on its pivot 85. In its normal position a coin slit 86 in the bottom of the hopper 82 is in line with the coin chute 8| but in this position the hopper plate 83 extends through the slot 84 in thechute 8|. The front edge of this plate 83' has a cam surface 81 that is engaged by an inserted coin by which the plate 83 is moved out of the slot 84 and the hopper ,82 turned on its pivot 85 into .a position in which its coin slit 86 is moved from over the coin chute 9| to a return coin chute 98. With this arrangement coins inserted while the apparatus is in use are returned to the player. This downward- 5 1y extending plate 83 is also provided with side plates 89 (Fig. 1) at right-angles to it, that pass freely through other slots 99 in the coin chute 8! at right-angles to the one first referred to, so as to prevent a wire or like implement being 10 passed down the chute 8| when the apparatus is not in use.

In order that the hopper 82 may be maintained over the return coin chute 88 aft-er a coin inserted to free the apparatus has fallen below its downwardly extending plate 83, a rod 9| of suitable shape and length pivoted to an arm 92 operated by the coin-release lever 96, passes through a hole 93 in one of the side plates of the hopper sufficiently to lie behind the coin and by its weight positively to move the hopper into the required position. This arm 92 is fixed to a short shaft 94 (Fig. 5) supported in bearings 95 in arms 86 behind the coin chute 9|, to which shaft 95 the depending lever 96 is fixed at one end 91, the other end of the lever 98 being pivotally connected to the lower cam-plate 59 hereinbefore described, at 99 by links 6!, 62 with allowance for angular adjustment of plate 59 diagrammatically indicated at 99 The cam 59 being pivoted at 99 and adjustably secured in the requisite angular position at 99', the link is held in two places and therefore its motion is limited by that of cam 50.

When these levers are actuated, the aforesaid red 9| is raised above the coin, which is supported after it falls below the hopper plate 83 and through the part of the chute 9| beneath it, by two pins I99 (Fig. 9) that extend at rightangles to the front plate I9I of the said chute, the rear side of which is cut away. Normally the centre of gravity of rod 9| is so situated that it hangs as illustrated in Fig. 3 to prevent the passage of a wire or the like as above described down chute 9|. A token on passing pushes rod 9| aside as in Fig. 9, whereafter the rod swings back to the position in Fig. 3.

The depending lever 99 above referred to has a horizontal arm I92 (Fig. 10) that extends behind the coin chute 8| and parallel to it. Two

forwardly-directed fingers I93 which are normally urged towards each other by a spring I94 are pivoted to the upper side of this arm I92 a slight distance apart and extend through slots 95 above the pins I90 that support the coin, and

two similar spring-controlled fingers I96 are pivoted on the same pins I91 on the underside of the same arm I92 and extend through slots I98 similar to the ones above them. The inner edges I99 of these fingers are inclined outwardly towards their free ends IID so that the coin in falling on to the aforesaid pins I99, passes be tween them.

When the lower cam-plate 59 is operated by turning the starting lever 93, the short shaft 94 is turned through the spring and then through the depending lever 99 and the links that connect it to the cam-plate. When the short shaft 94 is turned in this way the depending lever 96 will be moved towards the coin chute 8|. This movement will cause the inclined inner edges I99 (Figs. 10 and 10a) of the fingers pivoted to its arm to engage the opposite sides of the coin supported on the pins I99 with the result that their ends I III will be separated as they pass forward through the slots I05 in the front plate IIII of the coinchute 8| and so enable them to clear the stopplate I I I which would arrest their forward movement if a coin had not been supported on the pins. By clearing the stop plate I I I the fingers 'I 03 are able to move forward sufficiently far to allow the operating handle to be turned far enough for the handle to rock lever 52 far enough to pull chain 59 to wind spring 33 and rotate cam shaft 25 and arms I3a. When handle 43 releases arm 41a the spring 33 causes shaft 25 to rotate in the opposite direction allowing cams 24a to rotate and permit arms I3a return permitting of drive of the wheels 2a and actuation of other mechanism as previously described. At the inner end of the inclined portions of the aforesaid fingers they are provided with notches I I2, the forward edges II3 of which form stops that pass in front of the coin which when the fingers are retracted owing to roller 48b pushing cam surface 63b back is drawn off the ends of the supporting pins I09 and allowed to drop into a second chute II4 through which it passes either to a prize-magazine I'I5 (Fig. 1), or to a pool H6 or to a cash-box (not shown). The mechanism is locked until a coin is inserted. When the coin is inserted it drops between the slanting edges III9 of fingers II 3 and further operation of lever 43 causes the fingers II? to advance divergently owing to the pressure of the coin so that they can pass stop III and the machine operates.

During the forward movement of the depending lever 96 a nose or projection I'I1 (Figs. 1 and 11) on it engages a spring-controlled arm H9 that carries a rod II 9 that passes behind two depending or feeler arms I20, I 2| each of which is provided with a pin. The pin I22 (Fig. 5) on one normally enters a hole I23 in the prize magazine I I5 and the pin I24 on the other makes contact with a plate I92 pivoted at I25 on the pool H9. The magazine II5 has the form of a vertical tube having an internal diameter equal to that of the tokens or the coins inserted to free the apparatus, into which they fall. When the coins in this tube rise above the hole I23 which the aforesaid pin I22 is intended to enter, or when the pin I24 on the other arm makes contact with the pivoted plate I25 on the pool H6 in the extreme forward position of said plate, the respective pin is prevented from resuming its normal position with the result that deflecting plates i2 5 or I21 carried by the arms in question are pre vented from returning to their normal positions in the path of a token or coin when it falls. These deflecting plates I26, I21 occupy positions one above the other when neither the prize magazine |I5 nor the pool H6 is full with the result that the uppermost one I26 diverts the falling token into a chute I28 that directs it into the tube or plate, as the case may be, that controls it. When the magazine H5 is full the lower deflecting plate I21 will divert the coins into the pool H6 and when both the prize magazine and the pool are full, the coin will fall into a chute I29 (Fig. 3) that leads it to the cash-box (not shown). The pool will be hereinafter more particularly described. A second pin I39 is provided on the magazine control depending or feeler arm I29 which prevents a coin falling into the tube until the lever is withdrawn during the next operation.

If it is desired to ensure that only tokens or checks be delivered as prizes in order to separate therefrom the coins that may be inserted, the tokens or checks may be provided with a central hole through which the teeth I3I' (Fig. 3) of a suitable star-wheel I32 hereinafter described, will freely pass. In such a case this star-wheel I 32 is freely and removably mounted on a pin I33 supported at the upper end of a spring-controlled lever I34 fulcrumed on the side of the coin chute 8 I, which is operated by the depending lever to which the coin-engaging fingers are pivoted. This star-wheel I32 is situated above the deflector plates I26, I21. carried by the depending arms I20, I2I hereinbefore referred to and the points I36 of its teeth I3I are caused by a spring It? on the lever I34 that supports it, to pass through a slot I38 in a plate I39 into which a token or coin falls after it has been pull-ed 01f the supporting pins 'IIJIl by the aforesaid p voted fingers I06. When a token falls on to one of the teeth i3I of the star-wheel, its weight turns the starwheel I 32 and the next tooth enters the hole in the centre of the token whose weight again turns the wheel I32 which, therefore, allows it to pass on to one of the deflecting plates I26, I27 and thence into either the prize magazine II5 or the pool H6, or direct into the cash-box.

When a coin falls on to one of the teeth I3I (Fig. 3) of the star-wheel I32, the latter is prevented from turning sufficiently to allow it to pass by the next tooth, which is brought into contact with the centre of the coin through which the tooth cannot pass because the coin has not a hole at its centre, as the tokens have. Just before the depending lever 96 reaches the end of its forward movement but after the deflecting plates I26, I21 have been moved out of their 7 operative positions, the depending lever 96 engages the lower end of the lever I34 that supports the pin I33 on" which the star-wheel I32 is mounted and thus moves the pin I33 sufficiently away from the slotted plate to release the coin held by it, which then falls vertically into the centre part of a chute I49 that guides it into the cash-box chute I29.

The delivery mechanism includes a third lever 54 (Fig. 2) secured to the second horizontal shaft 5I and pivotally connected at its free end to a link I 4| (Figs. 3 and 8a) which is also pivotally and operatively connected to a first or minimum prize delivery slide I 42a running in guides E43 (Fig. l) in the base of the machine. The prize delivery slide I I-2a. is adapted to run to and fro under the open end of the hereinbefore mentioned prize magazine II 5 (Fig. 1); The prize delivery slide MM is provided with an orifice I44 of sufficient diameter just to contain one token horizontally and the orifice I44 is deep enough to contain two tokens superposed vertically, which represents the prize-the minimum prize-for causing the first spinning wheel 2a to release the second 2b. Above the first prize delivery slide I 42a are superposed second, third and fourth prize delivery slides I422), I420, l42d, these prizes being in ascending order of magnitude. Each slide runs in guides I43 in the slide beneath it, is provided with an orifice of sufiicient diameter T to contain one token horizontally and a predetermined number-four, six, eight as the case may be-vertically superposed. All the orifices I44 normally register vertically with the open orifice I45 atthe bottom of the magazine, so that all the slides I42a fill up with their appropriate number of tokens or coins, springs I46a (Fig. 86) being provided under each slide to force the slides I42a in to close contact with each other. Each slide is held by a control spring Mm, I411), [416, I4'Id which normally tends to pull it towards the rear of the machine. The bottom slide I42a is provided with an upstanding stop I48 (Fig. 8d) at the back whereby by operation of the spindle carrying the third lever 54 all the slides that have delivered their prizes are forced back into their normal positions. The slides I42a are adapted when pulled back by their retaining spring I4'Ia to deliver their prizes into a chute through a common orifice I49 in a plate I50 in the base of the machine beneath the first prize slide. All the slides i42a are held against the tension of their springs I l ia in their normal forward positions by a plate I5I (Fig. 80) having staggered or stepped serrations I52 engaging in slots I 53 in the slides and secured by a curved arm I54 (Fig. 8a) to the foot of a vertical shaft I55 pivoted in bearings Hit in the machine frame. The bottom or deepest step I52 corresponds to and engages with the first or minimum prize slide I42a, the next deepest step with the next or second prize slide I421), the shallowest step with the third prize slide I420, and the top extremity with the fourth or maximum prize slide I42d.-

Thus a slight rotation of the shaft I55 will release the first slide I42a, a greater one the second I42?) and so on. The vertical shaft I55 to which the curved arm I54 is secured is provided with horizontal arms I5'Ia, I5I-b, I5Ic, I5'Id (Fig. 1) in staggered relationship from top to bottom of the shaft, each arm I5'Ia corresponding to a slide MM and being adapted to engage with a pin I58a, I591), I580, I58d secured to the appropriate frame arm I3b on suitable rotation of said arm, whereby rotation of the shaft I55 by the second number wheel-frame arm I31) release the first prize, by the third number wheelframe arm I30 the second prize and so on. The slides I 42a are returned to their normal position when the operating lever is actuated on insertion of the next coin.

The pool consists of a vertical box or container having a glass front, a bottom or main pool trap door, and intermediate reserve pool trap door and means for controlling same, a divertor plate, a coin or token counting mechanism, a control plate, means for neutralizing or resetting, and means for control by the main cam control shaft of the machine and the first horizontal shaft or winding of the machine all hereinafter described.

The vertical box or pool container I59 is disposed underneath the orifice of the pool side of the main coin chute in the forepart of the machine so that the glass front I 60 is visible through a window I6I on the front of the outer case I62 of the machine (Fig. 12a). In one or both sides of the pool container are journalled all the pivoting points of the component parts. The container I59 is enclosed at the back, and has a further partition or false back I63 in the higher or reserve part I64 (Fig. '7).

The main pool trap door I55 at the bottom of the pool container I 59 is pivoted at the rear with pivoting points I66 in the two sides of the pool container. It has an arcuate extension plate I61, slotted at I 61', extending behind the pool container I59 near to and parallel to the right hand or main working side of the container.

The intermediate or reserve pool trap door I68 (Fig. 7) divides the top half of the container from the bottom half and is pivoted at I69 a short distance away from the back of the container to allow the free passage of tokens or coins passing between the partition or false back I63 into the lower part of the pool. On the right hand or main working side of the trap door IE9 is an extension lug I10 situated a short distance from the pivoting centre and projecting outside the container through an arcuate slot I1I out in the container side.

Means for controlling the reserve pool trap door consist of a toothed wheel I12 (Fig. 3), freely pivoted at I13 outside the container below the arcuate slot I1I so that the extension lug I19 of the trap door I69 rests on the periphery H40, of it. A pair of large openings I15a, I191) are cut into the periphery I14 of this wheel so that on rotation of a half revolution the aforesaid extension lug I10 is first allowed to fall into an opening and then is lifted back again to the outside periphery I14. Small ratchet teeth I16 are also cut on the periphery of this wheel and a pawl I11 suitably spring tensioned at 220 engages these to allow free movement in an anticlockwise direction only.

The rotation of this toothed wheel I12 is effected by means of a further small ratchet wheel I13 having suitably shaped teeth I19 with which an actuating pawl I spring tensioned at 2I8 and pivoted at I8I on the control plate, hereinafter described, engages.

The divertor plate I82 (Fig. '7) is pivoted at the top of the container I59 a short distance from the back and is directed substantially upwards to the orifice I83 of the pool side of the main coin chute. In one or the first position of this plate I82, tokens or coins issuing from the coin chute are guided forward into the higher reserve part I94 of the container and in another or second position coins are directed towards the back of the container and pass between the false back I63 and the back proper I84 down to the lower or main part I85 of the container. In a third position the outer edge I80 of this plate I82 is moved forward sufficient to hold the depending or feeler arm I2I (Fig. 3) controlling the pool diversion previously described away from the coin chute, so withdrawing its deflector plate I21 so that no coins are deflected to the pool side of the coin chute at all. lVhen in the third position a suitable locking pawl I31 pivoting at I88 on the side of the container holds it in place. The positions of this divertor I32 are controlled by an extension tail I89 fixed to it and extending outside the container downwards to a counting mechanism hereinafter described.

The counting mechanism consists of a main bar I90 (Fig. 3) freely pivoted at I9I on the side of the container with an actuating end 592 extending downwards into the path of a tooth on the control plate hereinafter described, and a coin arresting end I93 extending upwards to the orifice of the coin chute, having a forwardly directed finger I94 fixed to its extremity upon which coins are arrested before issuing from the coin chute. This main bar I99 is spring tensioned at I95 to rotate it in an anti-clockwise direction so that the forwardly directed finger I94 normally lies underneath the coin chute orifice. Pivoted on the same axis at I9I is a feeler bar I91, extending upwards towards the coin chute with a forward directed feeler finger I98 fixed to its extremity, which finger I98 passes through holes I99 in the coin chute channel. Movement of this feeler bar I91 is limited by a stop or stops 200 engaging the main bar I90, and spring tension 20I directs it in an anti-clockwise direction.

Pivotally secured to each of these two bars I90.

I91 (Fig. 3) is'a spring tensioned ratchet pawl 2020, 29219 engaging with the ratchet teeth 203 of a spring controlled counting wheel 204. This counting wheel 204 is freely pivoted to the same axis as the two bars I90, I91 and is springtensioned at 205 to rotate it in a clockwise direction. Upon the side face of this wheel 204 are carried two arcuate cam plates 206a, 2090 ad J'ustable in position by means of pins or screws 20'! and holes 208, one plate 205a being of larger radius than the other 2092). The cam plates 200a, 2092) and counting wheel 204 may be provided with indicating means 209 to show the number of coins which will be counted into the pool. Each of these cam plates 206a, 2061) subtends an angle equal to a predetermined number of ratchet teeth 203 on the periphery of the wheel. The downwardly extending tail E89 of the divertor plate I82 previously described presses on the periphery of the arcuate cam plates. Stop means 2I0 may be provided to limit its motion in this respect.

A control plate 2II is pivotally secured at 2I2 to the side of the pool container and is springtensioned at 2I3 to turn it in a clockwise direction. An upwardly extending tooth 2I4 engages with the actuating end I92 of the counting mechanism main bar I90 previously described. A pin 2! 5 carried by the lower part of the control plate 2 comes into contact with the slotted arcuate extension plate I61 of the main trap door I65 previously described. A further pivot pin 2I6 carries a spindle 2I1 of a spring connection-link 232 to the main mechanism of the machine. Freely pivoted on the same pin I8I is a neutralizing or resetting bar 2| 9.

The neutralizer or resetting bar 2I9 (Fig. 3) extends vertically from the pivot I8I on the control plate 2 I I. At its higher end the resetter bar 2I9 is pivotally connected at 22I to the free end 222 of a short lever arm 223 which lever arm is pivoted to the same point on the side of the container as the diverter plate locking pawl I31 previously described.

Near the higher end of the resetter bar 2I9 is a tooth 224 which engages with a projection 225 on the divertor plate I82 to reset it. Also near the top of the resetter bar 2I9 is a peg 226 upon which rests the free end 221 of a pawl lifting lever 220, the other end 229 of which is pivotally secured at 230 to the feeler counting bar I91 and lying so that its top edge is underneath lateral projections 23I from the counting pawls.

The control of the pool mechanism is through the connecting link 232 pivoted from the control plate 2II to the free end of a cam lever 233 and also by a further link 234 connected to a depending lever 235 pivoted at 236 on the upright 23'! of the frame, and actuated by the rollers 48a on the first horizontal or winding shaft 44. Said cam lever 233 is pivoted at 238 (Figs. 6 and 6a) to the cross bar of the machine, and has at its other free end 239 a pin 240 engaging with the periphery of a stepped cam 24I fixed at the lower end 244 of the main control cam shaft 25 of the machine.

The stepped cam 24I on the cam control shaft 25 has a spring controlled pawl 245 positioned over an opening 245 in the cam so that its outer edge 241 constitutes a continuation of the radial periphery 248 of the cam.

The action of the pool is as follows:-When the first horizontal or winding shaft 44 is rotated one of the rollers 48a moves the depending lever 235 pivoted to an upright of the frame and by means of the two links rotates the control plate 2II in an anti-clockwise direction. The tooth 2| 4 on the control plate 2H engages with the actuating end I92 of the counting main arm I96] moving it in a clockwise direction, so moving the forwardly directed finger I 94 at its top extremity away from the coin chute 81, taking with it the counting feeler lever I9! and so also withdrawing the feeler finger I98 at its extremity from the coin chute M. This is called position A. When part of the travel of the roller 48a on the first horizontal shaft 44 is completed the depending lever 235 is released. The control plate 2H thus is free to move to-a position called B and held in that position through the link and cam lever 2233 with pin 246 at the end pressing against the periphery of the stepped cam plate 2M on the main control shaft 25-.

Through the action of the control plate 2II the finger I 94 on the counting main. arm I90 is allowed to move forward under the coin chute orifice RI. The counting arm I90 moves with it, and the point of its feeler finger I 98 remains just outside the coin chute channel.

When the travel of the rollers 48a on thewinding shaft 44 is completed, the token or coin used to free the mechanism will have been drawn back by the fingers and; dropped into the main coin chute. If the token or coin passes to the pool lie of the coin chute by means of the deflector plate I2! on the depending arm I'ZI controlling this side it falls on to the finger of the counting main lever and so is arrested.

The Winding action being completed the main control or cam shaft 25 of the machine now rotates through the action of its spring 33 and other mechanism to allow the first frame arm l3a to spin the first number wheelZa. During this rotation, and before the first stopping point is reached, the pin Mil on the cam lever 233 is allowed to move down a step on the edge of the stepped cam 2M. The control plate 2H now moves to a position called C. The counting main arm 5953 thus moves its finger I94 further, still supporting the coin, but the feeler finger I98 on the ieeler arm I9? is prevented from further movement by the coin or token in the chute, thus the ratchet pawl 282a carried by main arm HE- is moved .away from the ratchet pawl 26% on the feeler arm IS], a distance equal to 1 tooth of the counting wheel.

If the main control shaft 25 stops by reason of the frame arm pins Illa entering between the teeth in the toothed discs 9a and not in a radial slot I2a (no Win) no further movement of the pool mechanism occurs, it remains at position C.

On the next winding operation of the machine the same operations occur; the pool control plate 2!! is first moved to position A, when the token or coin previously arrested is allowed to issue from the coin chute by reason of the finger of the counting main arm I90 being withdrawn from under it, the coin strikes the divertor plate 82 which is in its first position i. e. its tail M9 resting on the larger diameter arcuate cam plate 206a on the counting wheel 294 and is diverted forward into the reserve pool IE4.

- On movement of the counting main arm I99 from position C to position B it takes up the free movement between it and the feeler arm I87 and in moving from position B to position A carries the feeler arm I91 with it. The two ratchctson the counting main arm I90, on the feeler arm ISI-will have now closed together again the distance equal to one tooth of the counting wheel, thus having accomplished a net movement of one tooth or" the counting wheel 2534. This net move ment of one tooth of the counting wheel 2% occurs every time a coin is directed to the pool side of the coin chute. When a predetermined number of tokens or coins have been diverted to the reserve pool, the counting wheel 204 will have rotated sufficiently to allow the tail I89 of the divertor plate I82 to fall off the first arcuate cam plate 206a on to the second or smaller diameter arcuate plate 28%. Th s is the second position of the divertor plate I82. Coins are now directed down the back of the pool container E55 into the lower or main pool Iiilib. Again when a predetermined number of coins have been directed this way, the counting wheel 2% will be rotated to a point where the tail 589 of the divertor plate I82 falls off the end of the second arcuate cam plate 29Gb and is thus free to move to its third or locked position, thus preventing any further coins being directed to the pool side of the main coin chute as previously described.

To pay out the pool it is necessary for the machine to successively spin all the number wheels i. e. frame arm pins lac drop into radial slots Ella of all toothed discs of number wheels 2a Then the main control cam shaft will have rotated sufficiently to allow the pin 24!) on the cam lever 233 to fall into an opening 246 in the stepped cam Hi. This moves the control plate to a position D. The pin M5 on the control plate 2| I which engages the slotted arcuate extension plate It! of the bottom trap door I65 now moves to a position over the slot Ill in the arcuate surface thus allowing the arcuate plate Hi! to rise and consequently the main trap door I65 to fall and also the contents of the main pool which fall into a collecting trough directed to deliver the coins to outside the machine.

The neutralizing or resetting bar 259 is lifted thus rotating the short lever arm 223, which in turn lifts the divertor plate locking pawl it? by reason of a stop peg 181a on this pawl, thus unlocking the divertor plate I 82 if it has been in the locked position. The tooth 224 on the resetting bar 2H3 presses against the lateral project on 225 of the tail Hill of the divertor plate I 82 thus moving the divertor plate back to its first position. At the same time the peg 226 on the resettin lever 219 lifts the free end 22'! of the pawl lifting lever 228. lifting the two counting pawls 282a, 202b, and thus releasing the counting wheel 204, which turns under tension of its sprin 205 in clockwise direction back to its in t al or neutral position until stopped by stop 2I0.

On the next winding act on of the machine the control plate 2!! is moved from position D to position A. During the movement D to C the pin 2I5 re-engages the arcuate extension 551 of the main trap door I65 thus closing it. The resetting lever 2 I9 withdrawn releases. the pawls 2912a, 2512b and so forth. The ratchet pawl I80 controlling the reserve trap door wheels I78, H2 is at position D high enough to engage a tooth $79 in the ratchet wheel I18, and on movement D to A rotates the ratchet wheel M3, to bring the opening I'Ifia; H52) in the periphery of the larger wheel I12 to allow the reserve peol trap door 68 to fall and release its contents into the main pool.

Further action of the machine moving the control plate 2H between positions A and C allows the aforesaid reserve ratchet pawl I80 to engage further near spaced teeth 619 in the ratchet Wheel 1118, thus rotating in successive stages the 5 pool control wheels I18, I12 closing the reserve pool trap door E68. When the trap door M58 is closed, half a revolution has been completed, and a wide space on the small ratchet wheel 6T8 prevents the ratchet pawl connecting again until a 10 further pool release occurs i. e. movement to D.

In order to divert small discs or coins inserted into the apparatus to free it, a chute 2 39 is provided beneath the hereinbefore mentioned pins that support tokens or coins of the proper size 15 preparatory to their being engaged by the free-- ing mechanism. If the token or coin inserted is too small it will fall between the pins into said chute 249 and then into a suitable receptacle not shown so that the freeing mechanism cannot be operated by it.

In a modified form of device as illustrated in Fig. 14 the stepped plate I! is secured to a lever 252 pivoted at 25l to the prize delivery slide casing 252 and this lever 252 is pivotally attached 25 at 253 through a link 253' to an arm 254 on a post 255 on the opposite side of the frame 35?), which post 255 is provided with arms 256a actuated by downwardly projecting lug 251a on the frame arms iSa to rotate said post 255 to actu- 30 ate said arm. The plate I5! is controlled by a spring 258 attached to said post 255.

The mechanism is enclosed in a case 259 (Fig. 12a) provided with a coin slot 26E), one or more windows 26! through which the numbers on the 7 wheels 2a can be seen, windows through which the pool coins can be seen, skill-control levers 262a and, the starter lever 43 controlled by spring 263 (Fig. 13).

The coin slot 260 consists of a hollow chute 40 casting 264 (Fig. 121)) having a selecting ring 265 rigidly fixed to it. The hollow chute 264 is rectangular of a size amply large enough for coins to pass down it. The selecting ring 265 has an internal bore of a size to pass the correct 45 size of coin but to prevent insertion of an oversize or damaged coin. The distance between the edge 256 of the selecting ring inside the hollow chute and the back face 26'! of the chute is just sufiicent to allow the normal thickness of coin to 50 pass, but to prevent bent or damaged coins passing.

For easy removal the coin slot casting 260 is fastened to its place on the outside of the case by a forward lug 268 or projection which engages 55 under a fixed part 269 of the case and a further wedge-shaped lug 21!] projecting towards the rear of the case. A spring tensioned locking lever 21! is pivoted horizontally inside the case to engage with the wedge shaped lug 210 of the do coin slot and by its engagement locks the coin slot flat into position.

The starting lever 43 is provided with buffers 212 (Fig. 13) that limit the angle through which it may be operated, and a pivoted driving part (is 213 engages one of the rollers 48a on the operating shaft when the starting lever is moved in one direction and is tripped out of its path when the lever 43 is returned to its starting position.

To In some cases it may be desired to employ coins and in others tokens or checks to operate the machine. This is a matter of choice for the owner of the machine. When tokens or checks are employed, by providing them with an orifice 75 as hereinbefore described, the use of a star-wheel as hereinbelore described ensures the employment of the proper tokens or checks. By removal of the star-wheel the machine is rendered available for use with coins or unorificed tokens or checks.

Where tokens or checks are employed they may if desired be exchanged for a certain value in cash or goods.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:-

1. Coin-, token-, or check-freed apparatus for playing a game of skill comprising in combination a plurality of wheels, lever actuating means for spinning said wheels independently and consecutively and means whereby when a wheel spins and stops in a winning position the wheel underneath is spun, but in any other position the first mentioned wheel prevents the spinning of all the wheels below it, means for freeing said lever actuating means by the insertion of a coin, token or check in the apparatus, skill-control means for stopping said wheels, and means for delivering a prize determined by the positions in which the wheels are stopped.

2. Coin-, token-, or check-freed apparatus according to claim 1 comprising means for spinning the wheels consecutively and paying out prizes consecutively whilst the machine is in operation.

3. Coin-, token-, or check-freed apparatus according to claim 1 comprising means for delivering a pool to the successful player when a predetermined wheel of the series is stopped in a winning position.

4. Coin-, token-, or check-freed apparatus according to claim 1 comprising spring actuated lever means for spinning the wheels independently and consecutively.

5. Coin-, token-, or check-freed apparatus according to claim 1 comprising lever means for freeing said lever actuating means.

6. Coin-, token-, or check-freed apparatus according to claim 1 with rotatable discs carrying shallow and deep radial recesses coacting with projections on rotatable arms for stopping said wheels.

'7. Coin-, token-, or check-freed apparatus according to claim 1 comprising means controlled by a movable stepped plate for delivering a prize determined by the positions in which the wheels stop.

8. In coin, token-, or check-freed apparatus according to claim 1, a coin-chute, a return coinchute, a pivoted hopper above said coin-chute, a downwardly extending plate to said hopper, which can pass freely through said coin chute, having side plates to prevent an implement being passed down the chute, a gravity device for moving said hopper whereby the hopper is maintained over the return coin chute after a coin inserted to free the apparatus has fallen below its downwardly extending plate and a star wheel for separating orificed tokens from unorificed tokens or coins inserted in the apparatus.

9. In coin-, token-, or check-freed apparatus according to claim 1, delivery mechanism comprising delivery slides and having a stepped plate controlling the delivery slides, a prize magazine above said delivery slides, and mechanism for selectively delivering a predetermined prize by said slides.

10. In coin-, token-, or check-freed apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a main pool, a reserve pool, means for releasing said pools, a stepped cam for controlling said means, setting gear for said pools, trap doors to said pools, a

divertor plate, means for controlling said divertor plate for diverting tokens selectively into said pools, a counting wheel, and a resetting bar for moving said divertor plate to its initial position and said counting wheel to its neutral or initial position.

11. Coin-, token-, or check-freed apparatus according to claim 1, comprising an operating shaft, a casing provided with coin slot means, a window for inspecting the pool, skill control means for stopping the wheels, a starting lever having a pivoted driving part that operatively engages said operating shaft when moving in one direction and means for tripping said driving 15 part when the lever is returned to its starting position.

l2. Coin-, token-, or check-freed mechanism according to claim 1 comprising spring actuated means for stopping the wheels independently.

l3. Coin-, token-, or check-freed apparatus according to claim 1 comprising means for separating inserted coins from orificed tokens or checks similar to those with which the prize magazine and pool are charged before they are used, said means including a chute into which starwheel teeth can enter and a star wheel so situated that its successive teeth enter the chute and the orifices of successive tokens or checks, whereby the star-wheel is rotated and the orificed token or check allowed to pass further down the chute.

BERNARD WILLIAM BRENNER. 

